Friday, September 28, 2007

BURMA junta: Stop the violence, accept democracy!

The atrocities committed by the Burmese junta against their citizens and Buddhist monks are reprehensible.Their long years of terroristic reign should end.The Philippines and other nations can play a part in this by denouncing the violence they commit against their own people.

The Philippines, with its history of People Power, can take the high moral ground. It should lead the way in ASEAN in asking the Burmese junta to stop its violence, open up discussion with the monks and opposition, and ensure justice and reconciliation.

Already, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has called on the Burmese government to restore democracy and release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi now. She spoke in New York at the 62nd United Nations General Assembly. See the Inquirer report on this (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=91385)

These are historical times in Burma and in the ASEAN region.Let the Philippines and the world rise up to the occasion and take moral leadership. Let the Filipino voice be heard in standing up to what is moral and human.Urge the Burmese junta to stop its violence now, please.

Continue coverage of the resistance and pro-democracy movement as the Burmese people are looking to the rest of the world for support and encouragement.

Our prayers go out to those killed by the Burmese armed forces and to the Burmese people.